Female reproductive disorders: the roles of endocrine-disrupting compounds and developmental timing.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible role of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) on female reproductive disorders emphasizing developmental plasticity and the complexity of endocrine-dependent ontogeny of reproductive organs. Declining conception rates and the high incidence of female reproductive disruptions warrant evaluation of the impact of EDCs on female reproductive health.


METHODS
Publications related to the contribution of EDCs to disorders of the ovary (aneuploidy, polycystic ovary syndrome, and altered cyclicity), uterus (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, fetal growth restriction, and pregnancy loss), breast (breast cancer, reduced duration of lactation), and pubertal timing were identified, reviewed, and summarized at a workshop.


CONCLUSIONS
The data reviewed illustrate that EDCs contribute to numerous human female reproductive disorders and emphasize the sensitivity of early life-stage exposures. Many research gaps are identified that limit full understanding of the contribution of EDCs to female reproductive problems. Moreover, there is an urgent need to reduce the incidence of these reproductive disorders, which can be addressed by correlative studies on early life exposure and adult reproductive dysfunction together with tools to assess the specific exposures and methods to block their effects. This review of the EDC literature as it relates to female health provides an important platform on which women's health can be improved.
Crain
D Andrew
DA
Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee, USA.
Janssen
Sarah J
SJ
Edwards
Thea M
TM
Heindel
Jerrold
J
Ho
Shuk-mei
SM
Hunt
Patricia
P
Iguchi
Taisen
T
Juul
Anders
A
McLachlan
John A
JA
Schwartz
Jackie
J
Skakkebaek
Niels
N
Soto
Ana M
AM
Swan
Shanna
S
Walker
Cheryl
C
Woodruff
Teresa K
TK
Woodruff
Tracey J
TJ
Giudice
Linda C
LC
Guillette
Louis J
LJ
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors